Linkage mechanism for rider propelled toys

ABSTRACT

A TOY HORSE, PROPELLED BY THE RIDER, WHICH SIMULATES THE LOPING ACTION, CHARACTERISTIC OF HORSES, AS IT MOVES IN A FORWARD DIRECTION. THE ACTUATING FORCE IS PROVIDED BY THE RIDER AND CONSISTS OF A CYCLIC COMBINATION OF MUSCULAR ACTION AND APPLIED WEIGHT. THE PROPELLING MECHANISM IS SO DESIGNED AS TO ELIMINATE THE USUAL TENDENCY OF SUCH DEVICES TO BECOME &#34;HUNG UP&#34; ON CENTER.

lFeb. 6, 1973 w. E. PAYNE 3,715,125

LINKAGE MECHANISM FOR RIDER PROPELLED TOYS Filed Dec. 10, 1971 US. Cl. 2801.194

United States Patent 3,715,125 LINKAGE MECHANISM FOR RIDER PROPELLED TOYS William E. Payne, 1204 Alpine Road, Walnut Creek, Calif. 94596 Filed Dec. 10, 1971, Ser. No. 206,759 Int. Cl. A63g 17/00 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy horse, propelled by the rider, which simulates the loping action, characteristic of horses, as it moves in a forward direction. The actuating force is provided by the rider and consists of a cyclic combination of muscular action and applied weight. The propelling mechanism is so designed as to eliminate the usual tendency of such devices to become hung up on center.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) This invention relates to rider-propelled toys, with especial reference to a design of toy which simulates the loping action of a horse in motion.

(2) The present invention is submitted as an improvement over the disclosure of US. Pat. No. 2,572,878, and is designed specifically to overcome certain disadvantages inherent in the mechanism of said disclosure. Referring to the above patent, it will be noted that there are three pivot points at which the linkage system is attached to the body of the horse. This necessitates the use of a flexible shaft in order to allow free movement of the articulated joints of the system. The present invention dispenses with this feature by providing an improved system of linkage wherein the need for the use of a flexible shaft has been eliminated.

A further advantage of the improved design resides in the provision of automatic means which overcomes the tendency of such toys to become hung up on the top position of the operating pedals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is also a section similar to FIG. 2, taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in detail it will be noted that the linkage system, which is symmetrical about a longitudinal, vertical median plane, consists of a number of pivotally connected members of tubular construction, with the necessary brackets or lugs, at the connection points, welded thereto. The ends of certain of the said tubular members are flattened in order to provide a practical means of making the necessary connections.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main member 11 consists of a yoke, or bifuracted portion 12, having a single, centrally disposed, forwardly extending portion 13 forming part thereof, and which is substantially in horizontal alignment therewith. At its remote end, the member 13 is pivotally connected to a lug 14 fixedly attached to the steering post bearing 15, as indicated, At the read end, the main frame member 11 is provided with bushings or sleeves 16, one of each such sleeves being fixedly attached to the remote ends of each furcation of the yoke portion 12 of said member. An axle 17 is journaled in the bushings 16, as will be further described herein.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an activating member in the form of a pair of attached levers 18, of the first class, are pivotally connected to the main frame member 11 by means of lugs 19 welded thereto. These pivoted connections at 19 are the fulcrum points of the levers 18. At the forward end, each of the levers 18 are bent laterally outward, and are provided with extensions 20 which form pedals for the operation of the linkage system.

Reference now being made to FIGS. 1 and 4, a second yoke member 21 has its open ends 22 pivotally attached to the body of a model of a horse H which is fragmentarily indicated in phantom on said figures. At its lower end, the yoke 21 is pivotally attached to the levers 18 by means of lugs 23 provided thereon. Rearwardly extending brackets 24 are provided for pivotal connection with the remaining linkage member 25.

The member 25, as delineated on FIG. 3 is substantially, but not necessarily of semicircular configuration. As implied, it is pivotally attached to the lugs 24 at its upper end. At its lower end, it is provided with a centrally disposed, depending extension 26, having a bearing 27 in which is journaled a central crank 28 of the axle 17. It should be noted that the ends 29 of the axle 17 are offset, thereby providing an eccentric mounting of the pair of rear wheels Wr, with reference to the journaled portion of said axle.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that movement of the body H will be pivotally and positionally controlled at the points of connection 14 and 22. As the center of the front wheel Wf will always be a fixed distance from the ground, the oscillatory movement of the horse about the point 14 will cause a similar but slight movement of the steering column about the axle of said wheel. This movement will be unrestricted due to the provision of said pivoted point 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be apparent that movement of the levers 18 from the indicated upper position as shown, to the lower position, as indicated in phantom, will cause an upward movement of the member 21 from the lower position shown, to its upward position, also depicted in phantom. It is this action which causes the aforementioned oscillatory movement of the horse about the axle of the wheel Wf. It will also be obvious that the member 25, because of its connection to the yoke 21, will function as a pitman, or connecting rod, and cause rotary motion of the crank 28. It should be noted that this rotary motion is centered around the offset portions 29 of the axle 17, which, itself, also rotates around the rear wheel centers.

One of the results accruing from this feature of a double cranked axle, is a compound movement of the body H, which more closely resembles the actual movement of a horse in motion than has been attained heretofore.

A second more important feature of this design resides in the fact that the potential energy generated as a result of the upward movement of the combined weight of horse and rider will be utilized to effect continued and uninterrupted forward motion of the horse past the position' and so the machine can be urged forwardly and smoothly without interruption.

While the foregoing discloses a preferred embodiment of my invention, further modifications may be made within the spirit and intent of Title 35, United States Code, Section 112, Par. 3.

I claim:

1. A linkage mechanism for supporting and actuating a rider propelled, three wheeled toy consisting of a main frame pivotally attached to the steering post bearing of said toy and having bushings at the rear end thereof in which the axle of the rear wheels is journaled, said axle being provided with a central crank, a double lever fulcrumed on said main frame and being provided with pedals for the operation of the toy, and a pitman mounted on the crank of said axle wherein the improvement comprises a yoke having its lower end pivotally mounted on said double lever and being actuated thereby, and having its upper end pivotally connected to the body of said toy, and a pivotal connection between said yoke and said pitman whereby the pitman is adapted to movement free of any direct connection to the body of said toy.

2. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the ends of said axle are offset to provide an eccentric mounting of the rear wheels relative to the journaled center line of said axle.

References Cited 

